The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Bully-boy PM strikes again

Outside of Westminster, if David Cameron called someone a "mug" during a political debate, he'd probably get a slap round the face.

By Mark Jenner Published 26 October 2011 19:12

When the Prime Minister is under pressure, civility is always his first victim. Whether directed at a "frustrated" Nadine Dorries, Angela "calm down, dear" Eagle, or Ed "the mug" Miliband, David Cameron's belittling quips betray an arrogant swagger that outside the world of politics would land him in deep trouble.

The latest instalment of Bully-Boy Cameron's antics at this week's PMQs was swiftly followed by a rebuke from the speaker - Cameron had branded Miliband "a complete mug" for his supposed lack of willingness to see repatriation of powers from Brussels.

For a former PR man Cameron seems to forget that outright name-calling is antithetical to reasoned and constructive debate - it merely contributes to a negative perception of him as as evasive and cavalier.

What Cameron fails to understand is that there is a difference between using pointed sarcasm and intelligent parody to undermine your opponents position and losing your temper and simply blurting out whatever derogatory remarks happen to come into your head. It's a fair bet that if you were taking part in a serious debate and were subjected to a supercilious Cameron wisecrack of the kind witnessed today, then the "discussion" would get ugly fairly quickly.

Not everyone agrees with this assessement. Over on the Spectator's Coffee House blog, Lloyd Evans believes Cameron's "nastiness, his reserves of personal malice -- so clearly part of his character -- helped him out". It's an interesting take and underscores the machismo that has come to characterise PMQs -- Cameron's aggressiveness is seen as positive because it effectively detracts from the more damaging story of his own MPs treachery over Europe

Cameron is notorious for his ability to bat away awkward questions in the House. But rather than reverting to the tactics of the play-ground bully, he would do well to heed the advice of philsopher Jim Rohn when he said:

The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.

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Tags: PMQs David Cameron

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20 comments

Thu, 2011-10-27 11:34 — Steven (not verified)

Tim
27 October 2011 at 09:50
So much for the end of "Punch and Judy politics at PMQs '

Yes that is just one on a long list of u-turns made by Cameron. He is a joke.

Thu, 2011-10-27 14:02 — Marathonman (not verified)

Cameron is a complete tit, no two ways about it.

I genuinely think he tries to appeal to us average Joe's by saying things like that. He thinks it's banter and it probably is, but coming from him it just sounds cringeworthy and embarrassing. It was Cameron's Richard Keys moment.

Thu, 2011-12-01 22:04 — Paul Dunaway (not verified)

Staggered, the arrogance of our pm. He can take a swipe at millions of people fighting for there living and families, he can condemn them all in two words and it seems acceptable behavior. Amazed nobody seems concerned, i' m a private worked but disgusted with his attitude.

Thu, 2011-10-27 14:57 — Mel Davis (not verified)

The 'Prime Minister' should learn some basic manners. Still, I guess it shows how rattled he was over Europe.

Thu, 2011-10-27 21:03 — Eddy S (not verified)

I think Ed has been shown to be quite a mug, in fact I find his robotic style very off putting. The fact that he hasn't found anything remotely radical to say just makes him sound even more dull. Yawn.

Sat, 2011-12-10 12:15 — Sue (not verified)

He's done it now! having alienated Britain from the EU, from those who had some respect and support for Britain, now saying he has committed economic suicide and has made his primeministership impossible, driving a deeper wedge between him and his deputy, surely his narcissism is being displayed at it's most destructive!
As long as this man heads up our government, we are in serious trouble!

Wed, 2011-10-26 19:51 — Gracie

Once again today at PMQs we were treated to the narcissistic, arrogant bullying jerk David cameron. PMQs is broadcast around the world, he is not only embarrassing himself and his party, he is embarrassing this country. Cameron also lies and deliberately misleads in PMQs every single time he is there and it really is getting too much, the Speaker needs to do something about it.

Wed, 2011-10-26 20:20 — swatantra nandanwar

Give the man a break. Its all pure theatre. The questions are rehearsed. The answers are rehearsed. Nothing new is ever said. No questions are actually answered.
PMQ's is the only time a PM can wind down and the Leader of the Oppo put his foot in it., because the PM always ha the last word.

Wed, 2011-10-26 20:52 — Herbert (not verified)

I doubt if Cameron realises - so narrow is the circle around him - that many ordinary people see him as a smooth-chopped twerp. The old 'officer class' stuff doesn't work any more.

Wed, 2011-10-26 20:53 — Gracie

The PM and his team can only guess on what Miliband will go on, so in one respect his team will have some set answers. However, that does not excuse Cameron for being a rude arrogant liar and a narcissistic bully.

It is not called Prime Minister's Questions for nothing, the idea is for the leader of the opposition and selected back benchers to ask questions, he is supposed to answer them, but he doesn't, he never ever answers any questions. He is supposed to be the leader of this country yet he behaves in this way, he is a deceitful disingenuous lair and a complete embarrassment.

Wed, 2011-10-26 21:03 — Stu (not verified)

@Gracie

i think you'll find that PM don't really answer questions and this isn't isolated to just cameron, other PMs did the same , so please don't be too biased. In regards to the name calling, well it depends on what you would call offensive and the context you use it in. Personally the words he used weren't strong enough but Labour is flawed and it shows that the coalition are indecisive but so is Ed and Labour as they don't have any policies. This really is simple banter.

Thu, 2011-11-10 00:33 — Graeme Hancocks (not verified)

Cameron is a rather nasty, little shit basically. Not much more to him.

Wed, 2011-10-26 22:03 — Arturo Bandini (not verified)

A witless buffoon. Why his parents never demanded a refund from his school I don't know.

Wed, 2011-10-26 22:09 — Dickie1

Prime Minister's Questions. How about some Prime Minister's answers for once. What is the point of asking him things if he won't answer - oh, except the staged questions from his own bench.

Wed, 2011-10-26 23:53 — Fraziel1

An article because he called Ed a mug. Dear God, what is wring with you NS? If you really are offended by him calling Ed mug, especially at PMQ's when there is always banter, and think its bullying you should probably wrap your delicate little self up and never leave the house. Really pathetic. And I don't even particularly like Cameron.

Mon, 2011-10-31 15:04 — BusyBeeBuzz (not verified)

David Cameron was very lucky that no journalists noticed that his mug comment could fairly be interpreted as being aimed at Nick Clegg. According to Hansard, David Cameron prefaced his whole statement with the words: "...on this side of the House...". Since when was Ed Miliband on David Cameron’s side of the House? According to Hansard, Cameron said:"...there is a group of people on this side of the House who want some rebalancing, a group of people who want a lot of rebalancing, and a complete mug who wants no rebalancing at all." My argument is further legitimised by the following statement in the Guardian:""Clegg writes: "So far the debate has been dominated by two extremes"..."As always, neither extreme of the argument is right.""Since Clegg is on this side of the House and does not agree with the group who want some rebalancing or the group who want a lot of rebalancing of EU powers, Cameron could only have been referring to Clegg as the complete mug. If Clegg interpreted Cameron’s mug statement in the same way as I have, then I imagine that he is furious with Cameron.

Tue, 2012-01-31 11:53 — Mark (not verified)

Mr David Cameron is an uncaring man underneath his facade. Thatcher introduced the so called 'care in the community' that was a mess, but this man Cameron he is far worst, he is stopping the disadvantaged from having basic essentials, i.e food and heating.

Thu, 2011-10-27 00:43 — hindle-a

Fraziel1-I think ,I may be wrong,that the point of the article is that Cameron(despite being supposedly savvy in the ways of PR)is increasingly relying on "name calling" etc which reveals him to be arrogant,lacking in civility and a bit lacking, to put it politely, in intelligence(both social and intellectual)

Thu, 2011-10-27 07:43 — frances smith (not verified)

i think it might be a good idea for ed miliband to adopt ed "the mug" miliband as a nickname, as many of us have a mug that we are quite attached to, and the use of the word for something you drink coffee out of has become more familiar than its usage as someone who is easily duped.

i think branding miliband as "the mug" could have some advantages. though maybe not.